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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Dillard say about humans and change?
(a) humans hate change
(b) humans believe change is necessary
(c) humans abhor statis
(d) humans believe stability if good

2. What did the animal in question #1 often leave on Dillard's nightgown?
(a) bloody, rose-shaped paw prints
(b) wet, slimy mud off his paws
(c) a dead mouse
(d) cat hairs

3. Who does Dillard think gravitates towards the field of botany?
(a) those who don't like people
(b) no one in particular
(c) truly ethical thinkers
(d) people who were raised in rural areas

4. Before a baby can distinguish objects, what kind does it prefer?
(a) complex designs over simple ones
(b) ones that have bright colors
(c) ones that have moving parts
(d) ones that sparkle and shine

5. Dillard opens this first chapter remembering this animal.
(a) a robin whose nest fell from the tree
(b) a poodle that lived down the street from her
(c) an old tomcat that she used to have
(d) an alligator she saw in the zoo

Short Answer Questions

1. How were Starlings are introduced to America from Europe?

2. What is Dillard illustrating in her story about the Polyphemus moth from her childhood?

3. How did Radford, Virginia decide to control their starling problem?

4. How do humans insulate themselves from the present, according to the author?

5. What is figurative seeing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is her purpose in the mimicking?

2. In most of this book, what does Dillard primarily see about nature and how does it affect her?

3. What happens when Dillard tries to stay in the present?

4. This Chapter is called "Fixed." What are some of Dillard's observations and thoughts that illustrate this title?

5. Why does Dillard question both the morality and the compassion of nature?

6. Dillard thinks about arctic explorations, which use the term "northing," to denote traveling in a northerly direction. How does she see "northing" in her own life?

7. Dillard spends the entire chapter dealing with the passing of a hurricane. How does the theme of "floods" relate to other parts of the book?

8. How does Dillard relate parasites to her view of life?

9. What physics concept does Dillard use to write about observing muskrats? How does she use it?

10. Dillard watches a mosquito feed on a copperhead snake. What does she think of the act?

(see the answer keys)

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